Ecological quality improvement of water for domestic use

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an apparatus for improving the water quality for hair and body care, wherein an exact impregnation ratio between CO2 and water may be maintained even at low water pressure by using a step piston 11, namely by using CO2 compressed gas cartridges which are refillable with CO2 compressed gas, and by eliminating cartridges into which water or moisture has penetrated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to ecological quality improvement of normal waterfor domestic use (tap water) for one or both of skin and hair treatment,particularly in connection with CO2 compressed gas cartridges beingsuited and intended for using with said apparatus. From the Germanpatents DE4124728C2, DE4117023.7C2, DE4200467C2 apparatuses and CO2compressed gas cartridges--suited for use with said apparatuses--areknown, which apparatuses and cartridges serve for an ultra-fine ormicro-impregnation of normal water for domestic use (tap water) with CO2in a simple and effective way, so that said water may be used fornatural body and hair care, e.g. in connection with usual showerarrangements, whereby the empty cartridges to be disposed remain aswaste (throw-away products).

2. Prior Art

The object of the invention is to improve said apparatuses and the CO2compressed gas cartridges belonging to them under an ecological point ofview and with regard to their more universal applicability as well aswith regard to a more exact or controlled and dosed addition of CO2 ifthe water pressure varies or, particularly, if it is low.

In the case of the above mentioned apparatuses, the ultra-fine ormicro-impregnation with CO2 compressed gas is controlled by the waterpressure in the conduit via a yielding or flexible (elastic) membrane.This control is reliable in case of normal water pressure. However,there are numerous cases of application, e.g. if tap water heated inflow heaters or instantaneous water heaters is used, in which cases theavailable water pressure is substantially lower than the normal tapwater pressure. Thus, the available water pressure may be lower than 1,5bar. In such cases, in which only a low pressure water source isavailable, the control by a membrane is not sufficient to guarantee thefull function of the automatically adjusted and correctly dosed additionof CO2. For this reason, the invention uses a double diameter or steppiston element separating the water-inlet chamber and the compressedgas-inlet chamber. By using a step piston element, an exactly dosedaddition of the CO2 gas to the impregnating zone is possible even incase of low water pressure because the pressure on both sides of thepiston meets two different surfaces. By preselecting the step pistonelement, i.e. by predetermining its effective piston surfaces, eachparticular situation of use may be taken into account in a simplemanner, even a low water pressure being in a position to produce thevalve control or adjustment power.

The power which is produced on the water side via the bigger of bothpiston surfaces is in case of very low water pressure already equal tothe power which is produced on the other side via the small pistonsurface and which adjusts itself to the same value only at a much higherCO2 pressure (balance of the piston). By using a double diameter pistonelement it is therefore possible to control and to adjust much higherCO2 pressure as corresponding to the available tap water pressure.

This measure is of advantage generally in case of low tap water pressureand also particularly in those cases where a particular CO2 check valveis provided, as shown herein. Depending on the intended purpose of use,the ratio of the piston surfaces may vary for example between 1:1 to 1:5and more; preferably it is about 1:3,5.

In case a compressed gas cartridge with refill valve is used, a directcontrol of said refill valve by said step piston is made possible sothat said refill valve may be used as a discharge or withdrawal valveexactly controlled by the step piston element for a dosed discharge ofthe CO2 gas into the impregnating zone.

By using a step piston it is also made possible in a simple manner tolock said step piston in a position ineffective with respect to therefill valve by means of an element which is operable from outside inorder to be able to supply non-treated water via the apparatus e. g. tothe shower head.

The controllable valve may be integrated in the body of the apparatusand nevertheless be controlled directly by the step piston. If, however,a compressed gas cartridge with integrated refill valve is used, it isof particular importance to avoid that water from the impregnating zonepenetrates into the compressed gas inlet chamber and from there into thecartridge. This may be avoided by providing a check valve in the flowcommunication between the compressed gas inlet chamber and theimpregnating zone. For this purpose a spring-loaded disk valve,particularly a silicon disk valve, is used.

The use of said spring-loaded silicon check valve, which is provided inthe valve housing however results in an opening power of about 0.6 bar.If the water pressure acting upon a control membrane is to low, first ofall the power to open the valve in the CO2 cartridge has to be appliedfor a controlled and dosed addition of CO2, in which cartridge theinternal pressure already amounts to about 60 bar at 20° C., andadditionally the opening pressure of about 0,6 bar for the check valvehas to be overcome. This problem is to be solved easily by using thedouble diameter or step piston described above. On the CO2 controllingside a CO2 pressure is adjusted which depending on the predeterminedpiston ratio achieves a value being for example already 3 times higherat a very low water pressure.

Said check valve, which is for example made of silicon, is providedprimarily to avoid the repenetration of water into the used cartridge.On the other hand, a characteristic feature of spring-loaded siliconvalves of the mentioned type is that in case of a particular arrangementof the valve seat has they produce audible but not unpleasant whistlingsounds when for example CO2 gas is streaming through. Thischaracteristic feature is welcome since this whistling sound enables anacoustic control of the functioning of the apparatus and the CO2 supply.When washing hair and taking a shower, a function display on theapparatus is not always suitable. For this reason the silicon checkvalve may be lodged in an additional resonance pipe amplifying thewhistling sound or at least passing it on in such a way that it isclearly audible. For this purpose the resonance pipe may additionally berubber-cushioned.

The impregnating zone may be provided in a suitable manner, e.g. asshown in DE4124728C2. However, another protected low pressure method maybe used as well, as illustrated in FIG. 1, which is described below.However, the CO2 gas may as well be passed into the impregnating zoneunder overpressure with respect to the static water pressure in theimpregnating zone.

The use of refillable compressed gas cartridges (CO2 compressed gascontainers) for a broad application of such apparatuses and accompanyingCO2 "suppliers" is preferable for ecological reasons, thus saving rawmaterials and helping to use the CO2 transport containers (thecartridges) several times and nevertheless safely. When using refillablecartridges, a considerable problem consists in the possible penetrationof moisture or water into the discharged cartridges. This may be causedby defective apparatuses, e.g. by failure of the check valves or by useof the cartridges for other purposes.

According to the prescriptions, the CO2 cartridges have to be absolutelydry when filled with gas in order to avoid the formation of H2CO3 in thecartridge. The carbonic acid being formed would attack the steel shellfrom imide and thus reduce the security of the pressure body and exposethe users to danger.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention solves this problem by using a bearing element whichyields or weakens or is destroyed automatically in the presence ofmoisture, said bearing element being particularly a hygroscopic tabletas counter-bearing of the valve spring. By using hygroscopic agents,e.g. chlorides, in this case primarily calcium chlorides, tablets orpellets are produced on normal pelleting machines by means of bindingagents particularly suited for this purpose, and they are pressed insuch a way that they obtain the desired consistency or stability.

Said stability or consistency is predetermined in such a way that innormal dry condition the tablet (firstly) resists the spring pressure ofthe valve spring and (secondly) the filling power F--filling pressure Pmultiplied by surface A of the valve.

If, due to any circumstances whatever, water penetrates into emptycartridges, the tablet dissolves or softens and looses its consistency.The preloaded valve spring alone is already in a position to press thesoftened mass or substance into the interior of the cartridge. Not laterthan the cartridge is to be refilled on a filling device, the entirevalve, i.e. spring and valve rod, is pushed into the interior of thecartridge and the cartridge is no longer able to lock itself. Suchdefective cartridges can easily be eliminated by automatic weightcontrols, because it is not possible to hold CO2 under pressure in suchcartridges.

Said bearing element, which is yielding or weakening or being destroyedautomatically, may be located with respect to the flow communication ofthe compressed gas between the interior of the compressed gas cartridgeand the interior of the refill valve in such a way that the moisturepenetrating into the cartridge is conducted to the close vicinity of thebearing element, so that said bearing element yields or weakens or isdestroyed quickly. The material of the bearing element may be selectedin such a way that its hygroscopy is sufficient to obtain the yieldingcondition with respect to the spring via the moisture produced in theinterior of the cartridge.

The CO2 valve size is particularly adapted to hold the opening powervery small despite the relatively high pressure in the interior of thecartridge.

Throw-away cartridges already in use may be recycled to be re-usable ascartridge pressure bodies by slight finishing work on their necks. Thecartridge pressure body and the valve body are encapsulated with eachother in an ideal manner by a special bending procedure, so that at thesame time a groove for a sealing ring (O-ring) between the cartridge andthe apparatus is provided.

The valve rod may be dislocated to the back with respect to the surfaceof the valve body, so that it is not possible to operate or to open thevalve without a tool (safety device for children).

The above mentioned prior art apparatuses are adjusted corresponding totheir respective purpose of application, so that, independently from theattention of the user, the water taken from a shower or the like andrefined to be used for skin and hair care has the optimum pH-value.Practical experience has shown that a pH-value of 5.2 is veryadvantageous for hair care, whereas a pH-value of 5.8 is sufficient forcosmetic skin care. The influence on the acid protecting coat of theskin which can be re-established as well as it is not damaged whenshowering, is also regarded as cosmetic skin care. A modification of theacid protecting coat has been noticed for example in the case ofneurodermitis or psoriasis, which layer may be re-established withultra-fine or micro-impregnated water.

In order to broaden the possibility of application of the apparatus, theinvention provides a possibility for the user to vary the pH-value fromthe most preferable value for hair care to the optimum value for skincare and vice versa by simply shifting a lever. This saves CO2 gas inthe cartridge, and thus it is not necessary to exchange the cartridgesso often. The invention is described in detail by schematic drawings onthe basis of several embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through an apparatus with insertedrefillable compressed gas cartridge.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through a refillable CO2 compressed gascartridge, which may be inserted into the apparatus according to FIG. 1and which is an enlarged view of cartridge 2 with refilling valve 20schematically illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The apparatus comprises a support or mounting 1 for a CO2 compressed gascartridge 2 which is inserted into the seat 3a of the body 3 of saidapparatus with its reduced neck. Said body comprises a connection means4 for connection to a water source, particularly to a usual waterconduit, as well as a connection means 5 for a tapping device, e.g. ashower, or the like. Both of said means are disposed substantially inthe same direction with respect to the axis and are interconnected via awater inlet chamber 6, an impregnating zone 7 and a secondary mixingchamber 8. In the illustrated example, said impregnating zone 7 consistsof a body through which water from said inlet chamber 6 flows at anaccelerated speed. Subsequently to a steplike enlargement, inletopenings 23 of a small diameter are provided which openings connect saidimpregnating zone 7 with a compressed gas distribution chamber 22. Saidchamber is interconnected with an opening 16 via a flow communicationbeing locked against the penetration of water by a spring-loaded silicondisk valve, which opening leads into a CO2 compressed gas inlet chamber15. A needle-shaped throttle element 17 is provided at said opening,said throttle element 17 determining the cross section of stream andbeing variable or shiftable between positions"a" and"b" by a lever 18which is accessible or operable from outside. Said two positions are forexample adjusted at a pH-value of 5.2 (for hair care) and a pH-value of5.8 (for cosmetic skin care), which pH-value is determined by theimpregnation of the water with CO2.

In the illustrated embodiment, said CO2 compressed gas-inlet chamber 15is separated from said water-inlet chamber 6 by a step piston element11, the smaller effective surface of which is located in the directionof said compressed gas inlet chamber 15. The effective piston surfaceratio may be adjusted exactly to each case of application desired byexchanging the step piston element, which application results from therespective water pressure but also from the customer's requestsregarding the pH-value of the ultra-fine or micro-impregnated water.

The step piston comprises a push rod 11a protruding into said seat 3a ofthe CO2 compressed gas cartridge. In the situation illustrated in FIG.1, said step piston element 11 is in its retracted ineffective position.It may be locked in said position by a locking member 12, 12a shiftablefrom outside, e.g. via a lever 13, so that normal water, i.e. withoutCO2 impregnation, may be taken from the respective water source whenopening the shower valve, which is not shown.

The withdrawal of compressed gas from said cartridge 2 is effected via avalve 30. It may be integrated in said body 3 between said seat and saidcompressed gas-inlet chamber. In the illustrated example, however, saidvalve 30 is provided directly at said compressed gas cartridge 2 asrefill and withdrawal valve, as illustrated more in detail in FIG. 2.

The neck 2a of said compressed gas cartridge 2 is shaped in such a waythat it comprises an inner shoulder 2b and a constriction or bending 2clocated in axial distance from said shoulder. The valve body 31 of therefilling valve 30, a sealing 34 and the flange 35a of a bushing 35 aresolidly and tightly clamped between said shoulder 2b and saidconstriction 2c. Said constriction 2c is provided so as to form areceiving groove 2d which is open in radially outward direction for asealing element 2e serving for a tight insertion of the cartridge intosaid seat 3a of the apparatus.

In the valve body 31b a moveable valve member 40 is guided which memberis provided with a sealing ring 42 under a collar 41, which sealing ringcooperates with or engages a ring-shaped valve seat 31a of the valvebody31 for locking said cartridge 2 in outward direction. Said valve member40 is provided with a valve rod 43 protruding through said valve body 31by which rod the refill valve 30 may be operated in a controlled mannervia said step piston 11 and its push rod 11a respectively, so that saidrefill valve 30 serves as a withdrawal valve for dosed quantities at thesame time. A spring 39 is threaded on the shaft-shaped projection ofsaid valve member 40, which spring presses said valve member tightlyupon said valve seat 31a when said cartridge 2 is empty. Said springbacks up a pressure distribution disk 38 with its rear end, which disklies upon a bearing element 32. Said bearing element is supported by aninner flange 35b of said bushing 35. In the close vicinity of saidbearing element 37, said bushing 35 is provided with openings 36 throughwhich the CO2 compressed gas may stream into and out of said cartridge2.

Said bearing element 37 is adapted and located so as to yield when wateror moisture occurs inside the cartridge or the refill valve 30, so thatsaid valve member 40, 42 is no longer pressed tightly upon said valveseat 31a and thus the cartridge is no longer able to hold or retain CO2compressed gas. In an automatic refilling procedure, non-filleddefective cartridges may easily be eliminated by weight control. Theautomatic yielding or weakening or destruction of said bearing elementis achieved by using a bearing element made of or containing ahygroscopic material. Said bearing element may be produced automaticallyin tablet form on usual pelleting machines from such materials.Appropriate blasting agents causing, accelerating or supporting thedissolution or the decomposition of such tablets or pellets arewell-known (compare "Der pharmazeutische Betrieb" Vol. 7, "Die Tablette,Grundlagen und Praxis des Tablettierens, Granulierens und Dragierens" byDr. W. A. Ritschel, Editio Cantor KG/Aulendorf in Wurttemberg,particularly pages 107 ff.).

The invention provides an apparatus for improving the water quality forhair and body care, wherein an exact impregnation ratio between CO2 andwater may be maintained even at low water pressure by using a steppiston 11, namely by using CO2 compressed gas cartridges which arerefillable with CO2 compressed gas, and by eliminating cartridges intowhich water or moisture has penetrated.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus for improving the quality of tap water for atleast one of skin and hair treatment comprising,(a) a body having awater-inlet and water-outlet, said water-inlet being connectable to awater source operable to provide water pressure, said water-inlet beingcoupled to an impregnation zone; (b) a water-inlet chamber beingwater-tight against a compressed gas-inlet chamber by a step pistonelement which is exposed to said water pressure; (c) a CO2 compressedgas cartridge connectable with said compressed gas-inlet chamber via aseat and a controllable valve being controlled by said step pistonelement responsive to the water pressure and said gas-inlet chamberbeing connected with said impregnating zone via a flow communication. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said step piston element isprovided with a push rod extending into said gas-inlet chamber forcontrolling said controllable valve.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said controllable valve is located in said apparatus bodybetween said seat for the cartridge and said gas-inlet chamber. 4.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controllable valve is arefilling valve attached to said CO2 compressed gas cartridge beingreplaceably lodged in said seat.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the cartidge has a face and the controllable valve has a valverod located backwards offset with respect to the face of the cartridge.6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the controllable valve has aclosing spring which acts upon a valve member which is movable betweenan open and closed position, the spring being operable to preload thevalve member in the closed position, the spring being supported by abearing element automatically yielding in the presence of moisture. 7.Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said bearing element consists ofa hygroscopic material decomposing in the presence of moisture andoptionally having the form of a pellet.
 8. Apparatus according to claim1, further comprising a locking member which is operable to lock saidpiston in a position ineffective with respect to said controllablevalve.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a throttlevalve in said flow communication between said compressed gas-inletchamber and said impregnating zone said throttle valve being variablebetween at least two different throttle positions.
 10. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a check valve in said flowcommunication between said compressed gas-inlet chamber and saidimpregnating zone, said check valve being operable to impede the flow ofwater from the water supply into the compressed gas inlet chamber. 11.Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said check valve is a springloaded disk valve which produces an audible sound with the flow of gas.12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said check valve is locatedin a resonance pipe.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidwater-inlet chamber and a subsequent secondary mixing chamber coupledbehind said impregnating zone, is connected via a bypass conduit,bypassing said impregnating zone and having a cross section of streambeing adjustable by adjusting means.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 2,wherein said push rod of said piston controls said controllable valvedirectly via the valve rod.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid CO2 compressed gas cartridge comprises a pressure-proof cartridgebody with a reducing neck in which said controllable valve is insertedtightly, said controllable valve being provided with a locking memberwhich is movable between a locked and unlocked position, said lockingmember being preloaded by a spring, in the direction of the lockedposition, said spring being supported by a bearing element within saidcartridge body, wherein said bearing element at least yields in thepresence of moisture.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein saidbearing element comprises a hygroscopic material operable to decomposein the presence of moisture and optionally having the form of a tabletor pellet.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said bearingelement is a tablet or pellet comprising blasting agents causing,facilitating or accelerating its decomposition.
 18. Apparatus accordingto claim 16, wherein the spring has at least one end and the pellet hasat least one surface and a pressure distributing disk is providedbetween the end of the spring and the surface of the pellet. 19.Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said bearing element is locatedin the close vicinity of openings in said controllable valve throughwhich openings the CO2 pressure gas streams on the way to and from saidcartridge body from and to said controllable valve respectively. 20.Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said controllable valve is heldtightly between an inner shoulder and a constriction of said neck. 21.Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said constriction of said neckis adapted to receive a sealing element by forming a groove being openin radially outward direction.
 22. Apparatus according to claim 15,wherein said controllable valve is provided as a controllable compressedgas withdrawal valve.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein saidlocking member of said controllable valve is provided with a valve rodprotruding through the withdrawal and refill opening of said cartridge.24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein when the locking member isin the locked position, the free end of said valve rod is substantiallydislocated to the back with respect to the surface of said cartridge andof said controllable valve respectively.